Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-13


The arrest and Indictment, at Cleveland, Ohio.
OF JAS H. McGindley will probably result In the
termination, for some time at least OF the crimi-
nal career of one Of the most adrot swindlers who
ever defrauded the Government The grand Jury
returned ten Indictments, embracing fOrty-two in
dependent counts, against McGindley, who is in
prison awaiting trial His career Is thus Sketched
by Pension Bureau oficials:
McGindley was born in Ireland, but came to this
country when q child with his father He was
given collegiate education and
GRADUATED WITH HONoRa
In 1856 he was admitted to the bar and began
practice In Martin county, Ind. At the outbreak
OF the war he removed to Quincy, III, where he
built up large practice, making q speciality OF
prose :ut1ng Claims against the Government. Not
began his career OF crookedness. He provided
himself with the records OF soldiers who had lost
Inelr nves IN the service and who LEFT no surviv-
In the names Of widows who had no existence.
McGlndiey's frauds were discovered, and he left
Quincy. 1t was
hkrokTkD THAT he HAD DIED AT NEW ORLEANS,
Out subsequently 1t was ascertained that he was
operating his bogus business schemes in st. Louis
under the name OF Carpenter & CO. This was In
1850. steps were taken to arrest him, but when
tne on1cers reached St. Louis, McGindley had gone.
For several months Pension Commissioner Black
mas Deen verifying the pension rolls for the pur-
utied 70 pensions In the course OF this tnve sti-
CATION 1t was discovered that q number Of widow
pensioners were credited with residence In To
ront0, Canada, who drew their pensions through
tne Chicago agency. Gen. Black made q closer IN
spection and discovered that the alleged Canads
quincy, Ill, agency. AS that had been McGindleys
held OF operation, the Commissioner concluded
that 1t
NIGHT FURNISH CLUE
He despatched Special Examiner Jacobs tt
Toronto in search OF McGindley. The latter was
traced to Cleveland, and there the trail was lost
On the 22d OF last month the pension agent al
chicago received Two vouchers for the payment OF
pensions In the cases OF Elizabeth NJ. GeddeS and
Catnarlne OHOran. The pension agent was
directed 10 send the GeddeS check to the post
On1ce at Newburg, Ohio, and the O'Horan check to
brooklyn village, Ohio. Special Examiner Jacobs
got mold OF these facts and put the two pOSt01ces
under surveillance.
THE CAPTURE.
In few days an old man, apparently presented
himself at the Newberg Office with an order for the
mall OF Mrs. Geddes. The letter containing the
check was delivery TO him. and as he was putting
IL In his pocket Special Examiner Jacobs hailed
the man as McGindIey Taken by surprise he an
swered to the name. He Was arrested, and when
ley was discovered. He confessed mis- long series
OF crimes. His headquarters, a saloon In Cleve-
land, owned by McGindley. were searched, and
various evidences OF career Of rascaity earthed.
Inc testimony Is complete, and there Is no doubt
OF McGindley'5 conviction.
Gen. Black has so efficiently organized the ma.
chtnery OF the Pension Bureau that 1t is extremely
dlcuit for any fraud TO be successfully practiced
and, as The records show, In almost every the
perpetrators are brought TO justice.